Naming...
Throughout history, naming something has given power over it. This holds true in many different cultures and peoples, at many different times.
In the White Goddess, Robert Graves says the following:
In ancient times, once a god's secret name had been discovered, the enemies of his people could do destructive magic against them with it. The Romans made a regular practice of discovering the secret names of enemy gods and summoning them to Rome with seductive promises, a process technically known as elicio. (Pg. 49, Chapter Three: Dog, Roebuck and Lapwing)
Elicio et vinca:The Romans followed a practice reminiscent of this. It was called elicio. Roman priests cajoled the enemy's deities, offering temples and sacrifices if they would abandon their people and side with Rome. The Romans kept their word. Temples were built and maintained at public expense. The Campus Martius, in particular, was strewn with deities like toys litter a spoiled kid's room.
There are other examples in history as well. The act of naming something is extremely important in many different types of workings, including the Kabbalah use of the name of G-d and the use of various names for G-d in Solomonic workings.
It is also important in witchcraft. One use is using the secret names of gods to invoke them, done in various types of witchcraft. Feri Witchcraft deals heavily with becoming possessed by the gods. 1734 and various other Robert Cochrane derived groups work with the invoking of spirits during rituals. Names are used in many of these practices to increase the power of the presence of spirits or to summon them to begin with.
Naming is also used when using magic on another person. The name is used to add power to the casting, whether it be beneficial or intended to harm. The name adds power to the casting, allowing stronger or more focused effects.
In the first chapter of Genesis, G-d names many things, starting with Day and Night. His power over these things are shown with each naming. Being the creator of these things, he already has power over them, but he names them as an example of the power found in names. Later on, he has Adam name all the animals, showing the dominion gives over them to humans. With the power to name comes both power over the thing being named, and responsibility for that thing. G-d gave both to us over the plants and animals. He, in his naming, holds both power and this responsibility over all things.
Another interesting aspect of naming is the names taken or given to people or gods. For instance, G-d has many different names used throughout scripture. Each has a unique meaning and says something about G-d when it's used. Also, Abram and Abraham, Sarii and Sarah, Jacob and Israel. Each of these people are given new names with new meanings by G-d. We also have the many names for Odin, including Vegtam, the Wanderer. Different places, Odin takes on different names with different meanings, just as G-d does.
~Muninn's Kiss
In the White Goddess, Robert Graves says the following:
In ancient times, once a god's secret name had been discovered, the enemies of his people could do destructive magic against them with it. The Romans made a regular practice of discovering the secret names of enemy gods and summoning them to Rome with seductive promises, a process technically known as elicio. (Pg. 49, Chapter Three: Dog, Roebuck and Lapwing)
Elicio et vinca:The Romans followed a practice reminiscent of this. It was called elicio. Roman priests cajoled the enemy's deities, offering temples and sacrifices if they would abandon their people and side with Rome. The Romans kept their word. Temples were built and maintained at public expense. The Campus Martius, in particular, was strewn with deities like toys litter a spoiled kid's room.
There are other examples in history as well. The act of naming something is extremely important in many different types of workings, including the Kabbalah use of the name of G-d and the use of various names for G-d in Solomonic workings.
It is also important in witchcraft. One use is using the secret names of gods to invoke them, done in various types of witchcraft. Feri Witchcraft deals heavily with becoming possessed by the gods. 1734 and various other Robert Cochrane derived groups work with the invoking of spirits during rituals. Names are used in many of these practices to increase the power of the presence of spirits or to summon them to begin with.
Naming is also used when using magic on another person. The name is used to add power to the casting, whether it be beneficial or intended to harm. The name adds power to the casting, allowing stronger or more focused effects.
In the first chapter of Genesis, G-d names many things, starting with Day and Night. His power over these things are shown with each naming. Being the creator of these things, he already has power over them, but he names them as an example of the power found in names. Later on, he has Adam name all the animals, showing the dominion gives over them to humans. With the power to name comes both power over the thing being named, and responsibility for that thing. G-d gave both to us over the plants and animals. He, in his naming, holds both power and this responsibility over all things.
Another interesting aspect of naming is the names taken or given to people or gods. For instance, G-d has many different names used throughout scripture. Each has a unique meaning and says something about G-d when it's used. Also, Abram and Abraham, Sarii and Sarah, Jacob and Israel. Each of these people are given new names with new meanings by G-d. We also have the many names for Odin, including Vegtam, the Wanderer. Different places, Odin takes on different names with different meanings, just as G-d does.
~Muninn's Kiss